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You’ve probably heard the saying, “Grab them by the scruff of the neck!” While it’s an antiquated quip, there are still some folks who believe that scruffing a cat is a proper feline-handling skill. Why this myth is still believed as true is perplexing — there are much better and more humane ways to handle your cat. The experts agree that scruffing a cat is a terrible practice that shouldn’t be the “go-to” method for restraining any feline.

What is scruffing a cat?

Scruffing a cat is when you take the skin on the back of your cat’s neck (called the scruff) into your hand and hold it. The skin is looser in that area, and some people wrongfully use the scruff as a handle. Dr. Kelly C. Ballantyne, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, explains why scruffing a cat is still in use: “Scruffing may cause some cats to become immobile, which may allow veterinarians (and owners) to get things done without struggling with the cat, such as nail trims or medication administration.”

Another reason folks continue to perpetuate this mistaken way of interacting with cats is because they think they’re mimicking what a mother cat does. “Cat owners may also be under the impression that scruffing is a natural way in which cats reprimand each other, but this isn’t true,” Dr. Ballantyne says. “While mother cats carry their kittens by the scruff, this is to move them from one spot to another when they are very young and isn’t a form of discipline.”

“Scruffing can be uncomfortable as well as frightening,” Dr. Ballantyne says. “And while scruffing may temporarily immobilize some cats, it’s not effective for all cats. If the cat is frightened during the experience, he may change strategies in order to get out of the situation, such as by swatting, scratching or biting.”

How to restrain a cat without scruffing

There are many ways to safely restrain a cat that don’t involve scruffing. Dr. Margaret Gruen, PhD, Duke University, says, “There has been a lot of work around low-stress and fear-free handling of cats. Allowing them the use of at least one limb and providing distractions (like delicious foods) can be helpful when having to restrain cats. Most cats do well with a ‘less-is-more type’ of handling. Scruffing and stretching a cat only serves to make them have negative associations with the experience and become progressively worse. Scruffing is often done as a shortcut, but in the long run, it has costs for both the cat’s welfare and the owner’s willingness to bring their cats to the vet.”

Dr. Ballantyne recommends using a handy, everyday tool, like a towel. “Some of the most common options include allowing the cat to hide his or her head under a towel or blanket or gently wrapping the cat’s body in a towel. It’s important that the towel provides steady, even pressure but not be so tight that it impairs the cat’s ability to breathe.”

While Dr. Ballantyne’s advice might sound technical, you’ve probably already seen this technique in action. The social media meme featuring a “burrito cat” is actually a cat who is being restrained and obviously pleased with the process. Dr. Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, Diplomate – American College of Veterinary Behaviorists James Law Professor of Behavior Medicine, emeritus, harkens it back to feeling safe a la Temple Grandin. Grandin observed that animals who were gently contained on all sides were comforted by the feeling. It’s like swaddling a baby, and there are products on the market today that do just that, like Thundershirts.

If you must restrain your cat — easy does it

Forcing a cat to do something he doesn’t want to do will most likely not end well. If you’ve got to restrain your cat, and you’re using the burrito method, stop doing it if his resistance escalates. Let him calm down, and try again after he’s settled. For routine procedures like medicating or nail trimming, waiting an hour or so can make the whole process go smoother. Whatever you do, scruffing a cat will make matters much worse!

9 comments on “Scruffing a Cat — Why You Shouldn’t Do It and How to Restrain a Cat the Right Way”

When I pill any of my cats, I consider the kind of pill and the typical reaction. Candy coated pills (Felimazole etc) pop right in like a tiddly-wink. I roll Stripes on her side, gently squeeze the corner of her mouth and squirt it on in. All done!

However, uncandy-coated pills I will grease up with olive oil before dropping it down the hatch.

I will bring the kitty to the countertop where I can see what I’m doing. I go thru cans of scrubbing bubbles. I will gather the front two legs in my left hand and gently lay the cat down on his left side. With my right hand, I will run the pill down the cheek and past teeth and into the mouth. Liquids — pretty much the same idea.

I have one cat who understands that pills make him better but still resists the idea. With Justo, I get him on the counter, show him the pill. He will swing his head back and forth until he’s ready. It goes down but on his sked, not mine. I tell him that moving targets are harder to hit which seems to describe his tactic.

The key is working as a team with the cat. Once they understand that together you and he/she are a team, they seem to resist less.

Cats are a lot like 2-3 yr old children. “No, mommy, no!” is where it begins but not where it ends.

I honestly think both methods work, but not all cats are the same and some will be better using different methods. I personally use both methods. I have two cats one is very independent, not super affectionate ,9 lb. mixed breed cat adopted from a local shelter(now about a year 1/2 old). Ruxin will yowl and try do bite and be very upset when being scruffed, so he works better in burrito cat mode. However my my pure bred 9 lb. Maine Coon, Apollo, is much more affectionate doesn’t mind being held and “burrito swattled” and doesnt get fussy when he’s being scruffed by the vet. It could be because he’s still technically a kitten, he doesn’t fuss when being scruffed. He’s a little around 6 months old. The point is you should figure out what works for your cat and you all cats and people are different.

I have the same problem…how to get my cat into the carrier. I use the top loader, but she doesn’t want to be caught or handled at all…won’t sit on my lap, but will head but me and meow asking for food and water…she’s always fed on time…has a great cat tree…just not a friendly cat. Ideas, please.

Barb, I’ve had cats for many years and this always works for me: to get your cat to accept a carrier, leave it out for about 2 weeks before any appointment. Let her walk around it, play in it, put her fave treats in it, make her think its part of her own toys and things. Don’t rush her. When it comes time to load her, put a yummy piece of tuna in the carrier and let her go get it. Do this several times, then when she is in the carrier, quietly close the top. When she comes home, leave the carrier out for a day or two. Good luck!

Try treats in an open crate before putting treats in a crate that will close before heading out to the vet.

I have a multi-cat household, and each one is different fm the next. Some complain the whole way there (20-30 min drive) and others quietly ride along.

One of mine was a road kitty. Good Sense was only a few months old, weaned but would nurse, when he’d been tossed out of a car. His nose is boogered up fm hitting the Jersey barricade that separated lanes of traffic on the interstate.

It was a Sunday after church when I returned for him. He was up against the barricade when I got back, hence the name! LOL I crept up behind him and snatched him up and pressed him into my chest while wrapping the towel fm church around him.

I put him into the back of my pickup that has a camper shell just abt the time the police came to find out why I was on the road. Satisfied, Good Sense and I headed home. I had a friend over to help me “dig” him back out. He was scared to say the least. However, when he discovered a semi-feral nursing queen I had isolated w/her kitten, he calmed down a bit.

Today, many years later, he will actually sit in my lap and allow me to run a comb thru his fur. He will not allow flea spots or nail trimming.

Bottom line, have help if you can get it. Pressing the kitty close to you lets him feel your heartbeat and smell your breathing. These can have a calming effect.

Some cats are just slower to warm up and play along w/their human than others. The sooner they see you as belonging to them, the better. If they don’t own you yet, it’s harder to get them to cooperate.

Totally disagree. It is the only way to manage a feral cat coming out of anesthesia after a spat or neuter. Burrito works fine on domesticated animals, but it you work/volunteer for a TNR org., best get your scruffing skills honed. Cats are not harmed. They are saved.

I have seen people scruff fully grown cats and I wanted to smack the human! This just seems downright mean to me and all it does is break any trust you have with the cat. The towel method works with many cats, but not if they very large, or so it seems to me. My cat, Bear, weighs 15 lbs and he is not fat. To corral him to get in his carrier for a vet visit, what I did was buy a top opening cat carrier, which makes it a lot easier to get this big kitty into! No, it wasnt cheap but it was worth the peace of mind. I had tried to get him in an ordinary carrier with a front sort of door. I got scratched, he was panicked and NO ONE was happy about it.